AFAM Concept Fined for Repeat, Serious Violations

The Chicago hair products manufacturer has been fined $59,700.

Aug 08, 2014

AFAM Concept Inc., has been cited by OSHA for one repeat, 12 serious, and two other-than-serious safety and health violations following a complaint-triggered inspection, according to an OSHA news release. The Chicago-based hair manufacturer has been fined $59,700 for allegedly exposing workers to dangerous machinery that can cause amputations, as well as fall and respiratory hazards.

"AFAM Concept must develop safety procedures for dangerous and known hazards," said Kathy Webb, OSHA's area directory in Calumet City. "OSHA takes unsafe conditions seriously and wants to protect workers and hold employers accountable for safety."

According to OSHA, AFAM failed to develop procedures to protect workers from moving machine parts during servicing and maintenance, potentially causing lacerations, amputations, and death. Serious violations at the facility included failing to ensure lockout devices were used on live machinery and failure to provide machinery workers with safety procedures. Also, chains and sprockets on machinery were not completely guarded to prevent workers from touching moving machine parts.

Other serious violations found at the AFAM facility included failure to require the use of fall protection equipment and to install railings on a platform that exposed workers to fall hazards up to 10 feet. The company lacked a respiratory protection program; did not provide personal protective equipment when employees worked with corrosives; failed to monitor employees for exposure to formaldehyde; and did not provide training on hazardous chemicals used in the workplace. A confined space entry control program was not implemented to protect workers who entered spaces where they potentially could be exposed to dangerous conditions.

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